SATs are tests that help show how much progress children have made in English and maths before they move on to secondary school. While the results don’t affect which school your child goes to, they do give teachers and parents helpful information about what stage your child is at.
When Will SATs Take Place?
In 2025, the SATs will run from Monday 12 May to Thursday 15 May. The tests are spread out over four days:
- Monday 12 May: English grammar, punctuation and spelling Paper 1: Grammar and punctuation Paper 2: Spelling
- Tuesday 13 May: English reading test
- Wednesday 14 May: Maths Paper 1: Arithmetic Paper 2: Reasoning
- Thursday 15 May: Maths Paper 3: Reasoning
What Do the Tests Cover?
The SATs focus on two main subjects:
- English: Includes grammar, punctuation, spelling and reading comprehension
- Maths: The tests look at basic calculations and reasoning.
There is no writing test as part of the formal SATs week, though schools assess writing separately throughout the year.
Should My Child Revise for SATs?
While children don’t need to study like they would for exams in secondary school, some revision at home can help them feel more confident. Many schools will go over the key topics in class, and some might send home practice questions. The best thing you can do is support your child with reading regularly and helping them to feel calm and prepared.
Parents can often find information about upcoming tests on websites for schools, like www.fsedesign.co.uk/websites-for-schools, where key dates, revision tips and updates are regularly posted.
When Will We Get the Results?
Schools will receive SATs results on Tuesday 8 July 2025. Teachers will use these results, along with classroom work, to help decide your child’s end-of-year grades.
What If My Child Struggles with the Tests?
It’s completely normal for some children to find SATs challenging. Teachers know that every child is different and will take into account progress across the whole year. If your child is feeling anxious, talk to their teacher – they’ll be able to offer them support.
How one to one tutoring can help with SATs
Some parents choose a tutor to support their child in the run up to Year 6 SATs. A tutor can build a learning plan around what your child already knows and where they need help, and adapt it as they learn how the child works best. That kind of one to one attention is hard to give every pupil in a busy classroom.
Tutoring can also build confidence. A child who has struggled with a subject often grows more willing to try once they have had steady, individual support, and that belief in themselves helps on test days as well as in everyday lessons.
Sessions take place away from the usual distractions, whether at home or in a dedicated space, so a child can focus fully on one subject. Good study habits picked up now, such as working steadily and reviewing mistakes, carry on into secondary school, GCSEs and beyond, long after the SATs results are in.
